Area Roundup : Professional Drag Boat Racing Returns to Irvine Lake

Professional drag boat racing returns to Southern California on Saturday and Sunday at Irvine Lake when more than 100 of the fastest quarter-mile racers compete in the National Drag Boat Assn. sanctioned Coors Championships.

At least 10 blown fuel hydros, which reach speeds of 200 m.p.h., will compete at Irvine. Nationally ranked drivers Tim Morgan, Dexter Tuttle and Billy Todd are expected to compete.

In addition to drag boat competition, the Coors Championships will also feature world class circle boats racing with K-boats, Pro Comps and Cracker Boxes scheduled to run a pair of five-mile sprint heats.

This is the first national points race of 1985 and will feature a new format designed to intensify the competition and enhance the overall excitement of the event.

Last year, drag boat racing recognized 17 classes. This year, the divisions have been trimmed to eight, focusing on the fastest boats in the competition.

“Our new eight-class professional format is definitely a step in the right direction,” NDBA President Rob Grasso said. “Not only will the program move faster, but the fans will see a much more entertaining show.”

Tickets will be sold at the gate both days with racing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (714) 649-2560.

The Canadian Football League teams and league scouts will be looking for free agent talent at the Nationwide Professional Football Search’s Pro Tryout Camp at UC Irvine Saturday and Sunday.

After Saturday’s 7:30 a.m. registration, participants will be judged in speed, agility, strength and conditioning drills. The second day of camp is by invitation only, decided by attending CFL scouts and coaches.

The teams are looking for players at all positions, except kickers and offensive lineman. Seven players from previous Nationwide Camps are presently under contract with CFL teams, including Orange County wide receivers, Robbie McClendon (Montreal) and Keith Johnson (Winnipeg).

The 24th annual City of Orange and Orange Chamber of Commerce golf tournament will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Green River Golf Course in Orange.

The first golfer to get a hole in one on the ninth hole will win a car from Selman Chevrolet. Toyota of Orange is also giving away a car to the first hole in one on 14.

A $50 entrance fee includes green fees, golf cart, refreshments, a banquet dinner and prizes. Reservations must be paid in advance and signups are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Saddleback College golf Coach Bill Cunerty will conduct a six-station golf clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on the field adjacent to the Saddleback baseball field.

The clinic will include stance and alignment, iron play, wood play, trap play, chipping and videotape analysis. Clubs will be cleaned at the last station.

A $15 donation will benefit the Saddleback golf team. For more information, call Cunerty at Saddleback College, 831-4545.

University of Texas El Paso basketball Coach Don Haskins heads the list of speakers scheduled for the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Assn. clinic beginning at 3 p.m. today at the Buena Park Hotel.

The two-day clinic will also feature retired Washington Coach Marv Harshman, Tom Apke (Colorado), Bill Mulligan (UC Irvine), Sonny Allen (Nevada Reno) and Dave Bliss (Southern Methodist).

The clinic is free to association members and will cost $35 for nonmembers. The clinic will also honor the association’s coaches of the year.

The fifth Cal State Fullerton Orange County football coaches clinic will be held at Titan Gym this afternoon and all day Saturday.

Today’s schedule includes Titan football practice from 3 to 5 p.m., registration in the lobby of the gym from 3 to 5:45 p.m., a welcoming speech by Titan Coach Gene Murphy at 5:45 p.m. and lectures by Titan assistant coaches from 6 to 7 p.m.

The guest speaker for the evening will be former UC Irvine track Coach Kevin McNair, whose 7:15 p.m. lecture will focus on improving players’ speed.

Saturday’s program begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and continues through 3:30 p.m. when the Titans hold their intra-squad scrimmage.

Westminster’s Georgie Garcia will be co-featured on the Irvine Marriott boxing card Monday. Garcia (19-3-2), idle since November, 1983, will fight Carlos Canchola at 122 pounds in a scheduled eight-rounder.

Around the Area

A 10K run to benefit the National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Assn. ski group of Orange County is being held Sunday at William Mason Park in Irvine. Registration is from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. . . . Vince O’Boyle has been named administrative Director of Track and Field/Cross Country at UC Irvine. . . . Angel pitcher Tommy John has won a national service medal from the Orange County chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, a non-profit group that promotes good citizenship. . . . Pitcher Connie Clark of Central Arizona College has signed a national letter of intent to continue her education and softball career at Cal State Fullerton. . . . The Orange Blazers Soccer Team won the California Youth Soccer Association (South) Under-14 State Cup championship by defeating Alta Loma, 3-2. The Blazers, who finished 50-7-4, will represent Southern California in the U.S. Western Regional Championships to be held in Boise, Idaho, in June. . . . Schoolpower, the fund-raising arm of the Laguna Beach Education Foundation, will be holding a 10K run on Sunday, April 28 in Laguna Beach. Contact Sandy Thornton at P.O. Box 19, Laguna Beach, 92652 or phone (714) 494-6811.